On our bookshelf

December 9, 2009 | Print

NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman

Highlights: In NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children, journalists Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman explain in layman’s terms the current research on children’s development and parenting in eight fascinating areas–sleep, the effect of praise, lying, conversations about race, testing for kindergartners, sibling relationships, teen rebellion, language development, self-control and children’s play. Bronson and Merryman’s writing reflects their respect for children. The book grew from their article “The Inverse Power of Praise” (now the first chapter), and they reveal surprising, even counter-intuitive, discoveries about how we can better support our kids.

Lowlights: At times, their tone slips into sounding subjective when we’d prefer the research presented more factually.

Why we like it: A refreshing, open look at parenting told without an agenda other than to share the latest research. Fascinating details that make us think more deeply about and make changes in our approaches with the kids–from the importance of consistent discipline to the discovery that just 15 minutes more sleep a night makes a difference in a child’s behavior and development.

For more about the book and Po Bronson’s speaking events, see the NurtureShock site.

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